WG - 77

The sky outside had gradually deepened into the late hours of the early morning.

The bustling noise from the street-side commercial area had slowly dissipated, falling into the quiet stillness of the night.

Inside the house, things had calmed down a bit, though an air of intimacy lingered.

After being “tortured” by him for a while, Chi Zhiyu’s voice had grown hoarse, and she was both sleepy and exhausted.

She leaned back against Xie Ye’s embrace, her eyes closed, wanting to sleep but feeling uncomfortable with sweat all over her body, sticky and gross.

But Xie Ye insisted on holding her waist and pulling the blanket over her.

Chi Zhiyu frowned slightly, reaching out to remove it when Xie Ye behind her grabbed her hand first. His voice still carried traces of lingering desire as he asked in a low, raspy tone: “What are you doing?”

Chi Zhiyu muttered something in disdain, “I’m hot.”

Hearing her tone, Xie Ye might have found it amusing. He lowered his head into her nape, chuckling deeply, asking: “You’re cold one moment and hot the next. What exactly is going on with you?”

Feeling wronged, Chi Zhiyu laboriously turned over. By the moonlight streaming in from outside, she could see his damp black bangs, his dark eyes, paired with his lustful gaze, which somehow exuded a mysterious sexiness.

Too lazy to move, Chi Zhiyu casually rested against his chest, her voice still hoarse: “Just now was then, and now is now.”

“You’ve got a lot of logic,” Xie Ye said as his palm ran over her back, still sweaty. With one hand, he adjusted the blanket, wrapping her up snugly.

“Xie Ye,” Chi Zhiyu called out, her eyes closed.

Xie Ye grunted in acknowledgment, thinking about taking her to the bathroom.

But Chi Zhiyu, feeling herself wrapped up again, sighed, “I don’t want to be cocooned again.”

Understanding that she was referring to when he intentionally wrapped her up in the blanket earlier, Xie Ye chuckled, “No one’s asking you to become a butterfly, and besides, you’ve already taken all the benefits.”

There wasn’t much to worry about anyway.

After saying this, Xie Ye got up, pulled on some pants, and bent down to carry her toward the bathroom.

Once inside the bathroom, Xie Ye held her with one arm while turning on the hot water in the bathtub with the other.

Chi Zhiyu’s head rested on his shoulder, her voice soft as she said, “I paid for this. You didn’t lose anything.”

Xie Ye raised an eyebrow, lazily responding, “And you didn’t gain anything?”

“Yeah, I did,” Chi Zhiyu replied, starting to feel drowsy but still bargaining, “But it would be better if you helped me take a bath.”

Xie Ye smiled, lowering his eyes to look at her delicate profile, kissing the corner of her lips, “Alright, I’ll serve you thoroughly so you don’t lose out.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu closed her eyes and kissed him back, muttering lazily, “Thanks.”

“...” Xie Ye laughed at her half-hearted response, “Can you be any more perfunctory?”

Chi Zhiyu’s body was covered in sweat. Now feeling uncomfortable and stifled under the blanket, and very sleepy, she nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder, unwilling to bother with him anymore.

As the bathtub filled with water, Xie Ye tested the temperature before unraveling the blanket and gently placing her into the tub.

To prevent her from drowning, Xie Ye pinched her cheek mischievously, “Don’t fall asleep.”

Chi Zhiyu immediately scrunched her brows, irritated even with her eyes closed, “Xie Ye, you’re annoying.”

“Who are you calling annoying?” Xie Ye pulled her close, helping her wash simply, “Don’t sleep yet, wash first, then sleep.”

“I want to sleep now.” Chi Zhiyu’s mind couldn’t hold on, lazily saying, “Can’t you hurry up a bit...”

“Nope.” Xie Ye smirked, “You complain about me washing you? Is there anyone like you?”

Chi Zhiyu, weighed down by drowsiness, hummed in agreement.

“...”

After finishing washing, worried she’d catch a cold, Xie Ye grabbed a towel to dry her off, casually throwing some clothes on her before carrying her back to the room.

As soon as Chi Zhiyu hit the bed, she closed her eyes, ignoring the soreness all over her body, only wanting to sleep. She mumbled, “Goodnight, I’m sleeping.”

Watching her like this, Xie Ye truly felt like he was running a service industry, reaching out to pinch her cheek.

Chi Zhiyu ignored him, relaxing into a deep sleep. But not completely asleep yet, she vaguely felt herself being hugged, his hands resting on her waist once again.

Her consciousness struggled a bit.

With effort, Chi Zhiyu opened her eyes, mumbling, “What are you doing?”

Xie Ye massaged her waist, easing some of the soreness, glancing at her, “Still not sleeping?”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu didn’t know what he intended to do, so she let him be, closing her eyes again to pull back her slumber. In her semi-conscious state, she felt the soreness in her waist gradually easing, causing her furrowed brow to relax slightly.

Not long after, her consciousness began to drift, almost touching that floating haze when she faintly heard him murmur in a casual tone, “Buy some medicine tomorrow.”

“They’re swollen.”

“…”

A few seconds later, Chi Zhiyu suddenly felt her outer eye corner lightly brushed, followed by warmth pressing against the corner of her lips, accompanied by his seemingly comforting words, unaccompanied by any shame.

“I’ll endure for a few days.”

She didn’t know how long she slept.

Chi Zhiyu was awakened by the smell of food wafting in from outside the room. Also, maybe because she had slept for too long, she was feeling a bit hungry.

When Chi Zhiyu opened her eyes, looking at the curtains in front of her, her brain felt a little sluggish. Feeling that the soreness all over her body had significantly lessened, she lay in bed for a long time before rubbing her eyes and scanning the room.

Xie Ye was nowhere to be seen.

Chi Zhiyu sniffed, got up from the bed, and walked to the door.

Turning the doorknob, Chi Zhiyu opened the door and stepped out, clearly smelling the aroma of food coming from the kitchen.

Passing through the living room, she saw Xie Ye standing in front of the counter, tidying up and washing tools. On the induction cooker beside him, a pot of minced meat porridge was simmering. He occasionally glanced at it.

Seemingly hearing some movement, Xie Ye looked up, “Awake?”

Chi Zhiyu blinked, walking over to him and naturally reaching out to hug his waist. Her voice still carried the hoarseness of someone freshly awake, “What time did you wake up?”

Xie Ye dried his hands, ruffled her slightly messy hair, and casually responded, “What time do you think it is?”

“Hmm?” Chi Zhiyu guessed, “Ten o’clock?”

This was usually the time he got up.

Xie Ye held her, casually turning off the induction cooker, speaking leisurely, “One o’clock.”

“…” Chi Zhiyu was surprised, “One o’clock?”

“You slept pretty soundly,” Xie Ye teased, “Even your stomach growling didn’t wake you.”

Chi Zhiyu was momentarily confused. She really hadn’t felt hungry while sleeping; it was his delicious cooking that made her realize she was hungry.

Xie Ye let go of her, tilting his chin toward the bathroom, “Go wash your face and brush your teeth.”

Chi Zhiyu acknowledged with an “Oh,” turning around obediently heading towards the bathroom. Upon entering and catching sight of herself in the mirror, she paused.

She was wearing Xie Ye’s pajamas, the collar rather loose, easily revealing hickeys on her neck and collarbone.

Against her fair skin, they were particularly clear, scattered delicately across her flesh.

Around her collarbone, even more so, and extending downward.

Chi Zhiyu pulled up the collar, enduring it, picked up her toothbrush and toothpaste. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she opened the door and walked to the dining area, glaring accusingly at the culprit sitting at the table.

Xie Ye looked at her, “Eat.”

Chi Zhiyu opened her mouth to accuse him but suddenly noticed a conspicuous red mark near his Adam’s apple. Her words instantly halted.

Xie Ye noticed her gaze and preemptively confronted her, “What are you looking at?”

Chi Zhiyu quickly averted her gaze, calmly shaking her head, “Nothing, let’s eat.”

Xie Ye wouldn’t let it go, watching her and speaking leisurely, “Oh, last night you kissed quite forcefully.”

“…” Chi Zhiyu nearly choked.

Xie Ye lifted his hand, tapping his Adam’s apple with his fingertip, nonchalantly saying, “I have marks too.”

“…”

His attitude seemed as if she had forced herself on him.

“I think…” Chi Zhiyu glanced at the hickey on his neck, unable to stop herself from commenting, “You might be even worse.”

Xie Ye raised an eyebrow.

Chi Zhiyu mimicked him, pointing to her own neck, “Isn’t this from you?”

“Oh.” Xie Ye stared at the spot she pointed to, his tone arrogant, “It’s from me, so what?”

“…” Chi Zhiyu was stunned by his attitude, “Then why are you saying I kissed you?”

“My kiss is service. Your kiss,” Xie Ye was hypocritical, spitting out two words: “Is taking advantage of me.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu wanted to throw the spoon at his face but was too lazy to talk to him. Lowering her head to eat the porridge, she remembered the time and looked up at him, “Don’t you have to go to the base today?”

Xie Ye: “Later.”

Chi Zhiyu acknowledged with an “Oh,” realizing this person might have been waiting for her to wake up, not wanting to leave her alone.

She ate the porridge, her lips curving slightly. After a few more bites, she thought about the school graduation matters, picked up her phone nearby, checking dormitory messages.

Last night, she forgot to tell Wu Xuan and the others that she wouldn’t return. They kept tagging her in the group chat, asking what she was doing.

But knowing she left with Xie Ye, they were just joking around. By now, having not received a reply, their conversation started to veer off-topic.

Guan Lingling: [Little Zhi Zi, too much! Yesterday you and Brother Xie showed such affection, not returning last night is one thing, but now you haven’t even replied to our messages. What are you doing?!]

Yi Jun: [Exactly! Hurry up and reply!]

Wu Xuan: [Sisters, she might be sweetly together with him, don’t disturb them. Let’s disband.]

Yi Jun: [But you don’t have to come today. After yesterday’s big scene with your Brother Xie, practically everyone knows you have a boyfriend who’s ridiculously handsome. Everyone’s waiting for you to come over and ask questions.]

Wu Xuan: [Brother Wild showing off, no wonder he’s our Wild, Mr. Arrogant.]

Guan Lingling: [But has anyone figured out that Brother Xie is Wild?]

Yi Jun: [I don’t know, I haven’t heard anyone say that.]

Wu Xuan: [Probably not. I checked online, nothing seems to be stirring. And yesterday they just took photos to show affection and left. No one probably realized.]

Guan Lingling: [Good, it’s almost one o’clock now, and this missing woman hasn’t replied to us yet.]

Yi Jun: [Strong, strong, strong.]

...

Seeing this, Chi Zhiyu didn’t feel like replying. She casually locked the screen, seeing that Xie Ye across from her had finished eating and was playing with his phone.

She didn’t dawdle either, quickly eating a few more bites before following him to the kitchen to wash dishes.

By the time they finished cleaning up and headed out, it was almost two o’clock.

Xie Ye first sent Chi Zhiyu back to Ruowu.

Today, she needed to clear out her dormitory. There weren’t many things, and originally Xie Ye planned to help her, but Chi Zhiyu directly refused, telling him to go to base training first.

As the car arrived at the school gate, Chi Zhiyu unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to look at him, “I’ll go first.”

Xie Ye didn’t respond, just silently staring at her.

Seeing him like this, Chi Zhiyu blinked, leaning forward and planting a kiss on his cheek, “I’m going, train well, okay?”

Xie Ye pursed his lips, “No.”

“No to what?” Chi Zhiyu smiled, reaching up to touch the corner of his eye, “Train well, I’ll come find you after finishing school matters.”

Xie Ye pinched the tip of her finger, “Don’t dawdle, hurry up.”

“We’ll see,” Chi Zhiyu glanced at the hickey on the right side of his Adam’s apple, teasing him deliberately, “Or else what should I do if I see you and take advantage of you again?”

Upon hearing this, Xie Ye’s brow arched slightly, chuckling softly, “Take advantage.”

Chi Zhiyu: “Hmm?”

“But,” Xie Ye held her waist, subtly pulling her closer, lowering his head to kiss her, “How much will you take?”

“…”

Xie Ye gently nibbled the corner of her lips, smirking, implying, “I’ll make up however much you take.”

...

After being stealthily kissed, Chi Zhiyu was finally released.

She got out of the car and walked into the school. When she returned to the dormitory, the other three were still chatting. Seeing her return, they exclaimed and teased a few times.

Chi Zhiyu laughed, telling them not to idle around and to quickly pack their things.

The three didn’t press further, joked a bit, and then obediently started organizing.

Chi Zhiyu didn’t have many belongings. Some had already been packed earlier and taken away by Xie Ye. Yesterday, at the house in Punan, she saw him moving everything over.

Now, there were just some miscellaneous items left, some of which could be discarded.

Wu Xuan also didn’t have many things. She finished packing first, sitting in her spot waiting for them. While idly drinking water and scrolling through Weibo, she suddenly choked.

Chi Zhiyu heard her coughing and quickly handed her a tissue, “What happened?”

Wu Xuan’s face flushed from choking, covering her mouth and coughing several more times before handing her phone to Chi Zhiyu, “You, cough, look at this first.”

“What?” Chi Zhiyu eyed her suspiciously, taking the phone and looking down.

On the familiar Weibo interface displayed on the screen, a post by an ordinary user appeared.

@CrazyBall: [I’m so jealous!!! I won’t allow anyone to miss this video! Yesterday was our school’s graduation ceremony, and while it was kind of sad, this couple absolutely blew us away! Both are ridiculously good-looking!!! The guy’s actions were so romantic, making this the sweetest graduation ceremony ever sob sob sob sob sob!!!!]

Attached to this post was a video.

Chi Zhiyu swiped down, and the video automatically started playing, showing yesterday’s Ruowu graduation ceremony scene.

In the central frame, a man and woman stood on the grass.

The woman appeared to be a student, still wearing her loose academic gown, her beauty ethereal and cold, holding a bouquet of flowers. Beside her, the man stood tall, gently kissing the girl.

Because the filming distance was a bit far and the angle somewhat skewed, only the man’s profile could be seen. The video quality was a bit blurry, but the high颜值 (good looks) of both were unmistakable.

Due to their stunning appearances paired with the man’s romantic kiss, this Weibo post gained popular recommendation.

Initially, the comments were filled with envy, praising their good looks. But later on, someone suddenly pointed out,

[Excuse me for being blunt, but why does this man look a bit like our God Wild???]

[Holy crap! Doesn’t the upstairs commenter think so too!!!]

[???? I zoomed in several times and watched it for a long time; isn’t this Wild!!!]

[Shit! If it really is Wild, then isn’t the person next to him Wild’s wife??]

[AAAAAA Wild’s wife is so beautiful! I love her!!]

[Why can all of you recognize this? I can’t even see the man’s face clearly!!!]

[If you can’t recognize it’s Wild, look at this profile! Isn’t this obviously him??!!]

[Sister! I found out that this girl seems to be Ruowu’s top student and campus goddess-like existence!!!]

[Holy crap! Wild’s wife is so amazing!!!]

[??? Is this God Wild openly showing affection with Wild’s wife?]

...

Netizens might have already recognized this as Xie Ye, tagging @WildGardenia repeatedly while easily finding Chi Zhiyu’s information, relentlessly praising Wild’s wife’s beauty, strength, and awesomeness!

...

“So what do you think?” Wu Xuan asked her after she finished reading, “You’ve been discovered.”

Chi Zhiyu handed the phone back to her, pondering, “Let’s finish packing first.”

“?” Wu Xuan was momentarily confused, “Wait, you’re so calm?”

“Otherwise?” Chi Zhiyu blinked, “I’m not some celebrity. Do you think they’ll come and arrest me?”

“This…” Wu Xuan nodded, “That makes sense, but what about Xie Ye? Didn’t he previously insist you shouldn’t be discovered? Why is he suddenly so bold now?”

“He might,” Chi Zhiyu deliberated, “Want to announce it to the world.”

Wu Xuan: “….”

Wu Xuan: ?

Before Wu Xuan could ask anything, a special notification popped up on Weibo.

Wu Xuan glanced down, tapped on the special attention list, and the system automatically refreshed, pushing out the latest update.

She paused, quietly for two seconds, then handed the phone back to Chi Zhiyu.

“Hmm?”

Chi Zhiyu felt the phone being thrust into her palm, catching a glimpse of the words “mine” somewhere.

Chi Zhiyu picked up the phone, seeing a Weibo post displayed at the top of the screen.

The profile picture was the familiar black, the username those two familiar English words. Xie Ye had posted a photo — a picture of him kissing Chi Zhiyu’s cheek from yesterday.

Accompanying the image were three words.

—WildGardenia: [My Gardenia.]